Here’s one: Vancouver Whitecaps defender Andy O’Brien uses the SkyTrain to get to work some days.

It very well could be an unofficial first for a professional athlete in Vancouver, or maybe the first time a local professional athlete has admitted to riding public transit to and from work. Or, maybe, it’s a more common occurrence than people think.

Either way, it sparked an amusing conversation between O’Brien and a handful of reporters Wednesday, after the Whitecaps’ morning training session at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, and after the Irish international had gone through the formal interview process with the media.

O’Brien, a veteran of more than 300 games in the English Premier League and 14 appearances in the UEFA Champions League with Newcastle United FC, has been just another patron for TransLink and, according to him, recognized only once aboard our public transit system.

He admitted to riding SkyTrain from downtown Vancouver in to Burnaby, where Swangard on the southeast side of Boundary Road, paying the standard fare, aware of the that Transit Police are coming down on evaders and the $173 fine for such a violation.

His reason for taking public transit is simple: he doesn’t want to pester his teammates for a ride to practice.

O’Brien, 33, likes the city, is finally settled in and doesn’t mind cracking the odd joke about his experiences here.

But what he doesn’t find funny is sitting out due to injury.

O’Brien, who was acquired by the Whitecaps on Aug. 1 from Leeds United AFC of the English League Championship and made his debut 10 days later against Real Salt Lake, has missed the last two games due to an adductor strain. He’s been receiving treatment for the injury since the loss to the Portland Timbers on Aug. 25.

He’s also dealing with tendinitis and had a bag of ice wrapped just below his left knee cap Wednesday, but hopes to be available for Sunday’s match against the Colorado Rapids at BC Place Stadium.

“I’ve missed quite a bit of training. I’ve only trained three or four times since the Portland game,” said O’Brien.

“But felt good today. That’s probably the most I’ve trained since the Portland game in terms of length and intensity.

“Because I’ve trained so early in the week, hopefully I might be available for selection and obviously that’s a manager’s decision. But all I can do is, you know, take it one step at a time and delighted to have gotten through today.”

Head coach Martin Rennie isn’t counting O’Brien out for selection, but, after a strong outing from Jay DeMerit and Martin Bonjour against FC Dallas Saturday, making it into the Whitecaps starting lineup doesn’t seem likely.

“I think he’s trained well,” said Rennie.

“Obviously Martin and Jay did play well in the last game, so it will be difficult to probably displace them for this game. But I think the fact that he’s out there training, if he can be out there consistently, than obviously he’s a very experienced player and has done very well when he’s played.

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